Ever so often, someone will ask me “Why is your blog called The Beloved Bride”? It’s a simple question, and it’s a good one because many don’t know the background and the true meaning behind why I named my blog, plus it has nothing to do with a wedding! So first, let me give you some background about how I got started.
I have had an interest in blogging since I was in junior high. Remember when Blogspot was huge? I can still look up old archives of daily blogs that I wrote after school when I ran home to the computer just to tell everyone about my day. Fast forward about 10 or so years, and I never would’ve dreamed that I would’ve had over 15,000 followers interested in hearing about my opinions ranging from products, to clothes, to my life.
The Beloved Bride started in January 2014 when I wrote a blog post about the Daniels Fast that my husband and I had just taken part of. I felt the need to encourage others to try the Daniels Fast, and I also wanted to give my experience to let others know that it is possible. I also wanted an avenue to leave things like recipes that could be used for the fast, etc. Fast forward to November 2017, I felt the urge in my heart to expand my blog to other things that I’m passionate about like fashion and beauty. I have grown up in a household full of beauty ever since I was born. My mom is a nail technician and has been for over 25 years. My aunt has been a hairstylist for just as long. Other members of my family went to cosmetology school, so I have been exposed to all things beauty since I was a baby! Naturally, I’ve kept the interest growing into an adult.
By no means am I a fashion guru! In fact, growing up, fashion for me was anything that I could find that was comfortable and cozy to get me through the school day. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the unique ways you can express yourself through fashion. I also like to find affordable pieces that I know other followers around my age will come to appreciate as well. I’m not saying that it’s a crime to splurge every once in a while, but after following so many “influencers” I’ve come to learn that not everything promoted is affordable for everyone.
Aside from fashion and lifestyle, the faith-based aspect of my blog has remained very important to me. I still like to write inspirational pieces that I feel called to talk about, especially since I’ve been given such a large platform to do so. This blog has been nothing but a blessing from God to reach a whole new audience in a more subtle way – many not even knowing that the true meaning behind my blog is religion based. 😉
When I describe to someone what The Beloved Bride is, I always start with “it’s you and me“. God calls us, the church, His Bride. And I want this platform to reach those who may not always feel loved, or maybe those who are struggling to love themselves. When I explain to someone what my main mission is, it’s to spread the love of Christ, empower women, encourage them, and inspire them.
I never ever want to lose sight of my roots and where this thing started from. My blog has grown exponentially over the past year since expanding to lifestyle and beauty. I never would have guessed that thousands and thousands of people would care about me or the content that I’m creating. As my following grows, I’ve made it a point to humble myself, and to only thank God for the opportunity that he’s given me with this. Although I do have other marketing jobs that I’m currently doing, this blog has become a huge part of my work life.
Romans 9:25 says, “and I will call her who was unloved ‘my Beloved’.”
In this verse, Paul is talking about the vast expanse of God’s love for us, even when we have a hard time loving ourselves, or don’t believe that we can be loved by Him. That His grace and mercy covers all of us, not just the Jews (in that time). The word beloved is used over 80 times in the Bible, over 22 chapters and 29 books.
In closing, I just want to say thank you to those who have taken the time to read this, for those who have invested in me, and for those who have taken an interest in my life and what I’m trying to do with this blog. I have never pushed this blog on any of my personal friends or family, because the way I see it, is that if they would like to follow me and have an interest, or have a desire to support me, they will do so.
I would never want anyone to feel the need to support me or follow me out of obligation. And the truth of the matter is, not everyone may be interested in beauty and fashion, or other lifestyle content. Although my blog used to be all inspirational-based, it’s expanded into more than that, and I respect everyone’s preference in the type of content that they want to see and support. I still do have a personal Instagram account, but that’s mainly just to save old memories that I posted in the past. I’m not very active on it nor do I engage on it. My blog Instagram is it, as well as a Facebook page and a slowly growing Pinterest presence.
I love you all!